PHMSA Response Letter

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Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

173.22(a)(4)(ii), 178.2(c)(2)

September 19, 2016

Bruce Biehl
Director of Regulatory Compliance Systems
Brenntag North America, Inc.
2000 East Pettigrew St
Durham, NC 27703

Ref. No. 16-0069

Dear Mr. Biehl:

This responds to your April 18, 2016 email requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to placarding.  You ask whether a placard with a white center block intended for display of identification numbers may remain blank and be used to satisfy the placarding requirements in Subpart F of Part 172.

The answer is no.  A placard with a blank white space (i.e., white center block) is only authorized for display of identification numbers in conformance with § 172.332(c).  If a placard is not used for the display of an identification number, it must conform to the design requirements of § 172.519(b) which does not accommodate a blank white space in the center of the placard.

I trust this satisfies your inquiry.  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

172, 172.332(c), 172.519(b)